transcription vs translation

[Melomare17]

---

Members do not see this ad.

just wanted to clarify my understanding--transcription is forming an mRNA strand off the DNA template strand, and translation is using the RNA strand to make amino acids--is this correct?

 

[chiddler]

you're damn right it's correct.

 

[Melomare17]

you're damn right it's correct.

awesome thanks!

 

[chiddler]

awesome thanks!

xD

 

[MedPR]

you're damn right it's correct.

😎

 

[folktale]

Also, transcription occurs in the nucleus, while translation occurs either in the cytosol OR RER. Right guys?

 

[Danlee07]

Also, transcription occurs in the nucleus, while translation occurs either in the cytosol OR RER. Right guys?

Yeah

 

[chiddler]

Also, transcription occurs in the nucleus, while translation occurs either in the cytosol OR RER. Right guys?

nvm.

i started disagreeing thinking of signal recognition particles but realized that it doesn't make what you wrote invalid.

 

[folktale]

Yea SRP is just what causes the ribosome-mrna complex to attach to RER 😛

 

[HoltMD]

just wanted to clarify my understanding--transcription is forming an mRNA strand off the DNA template strand, and translation is using the RNA strand to make amino acids--is this correct?

Yes, transcription is making a single stranded mRNA from DNA. However, in translation you are not making amino acids; you are making a polypeptide (protein). In translation correct amino acids are linked together in the correct sequence with peptide bonds forming the polypeptide.

 

[folktale]

so how exactly are amino acids made? I know that essential amino acids are obtained externally, while nonessential amino acids are synthesized by our body.

 

[HoltMD]

so how exactly are amino acids made? I know that essential amino acids are obtained externally, while nonessential amino acids are synthesized by our body.

All amino acids are derived from intermediates in glycolysis (ex. pyruvate --> alanine, valine, etc), the citric acid cycle (alpha-ketoglutarate----> glutamate, glutamine, etc), or the pentose phosphate pathway. Most bacteria can synthesize all 20, however, mammals can only synthesize about half. This is biochemistry so may not be asked directly on the MCAT.

 

[gettheleadout]

so how exactly are amino acids made? I know that essential amino acids are obtained externally, while nonessential amino acids are synthesized by our body.

All amino acids are derived from intermediates in glycolysis (ex. pyruvate --> alanine, valine, etc), the citric acid cycle (alpha-ketoglutarate----> glutamate, glutamine, etc), or the pentose phosphate pathway. Most bacteria can synthesize all 20, however, mammals can only synthesize about half. This is biochemistry so may not be asked directly on the MCAT.

I was about to say, after both cell bio and genetics I haven't been taught amino acid synthesis lol...

 

[HoltMD]

I was about to say, after both cell bio and genetics I haven't been taught amino acid synthesis lol...

It never came up in either of those classes in detail. However, since I teach gen bio at a CC, I do mention this when discussing translation. Amino acid biosynthesis is a topic of discussion in graduate level biochem. Some undergrad biochem courses may venture this way but if you ever take a grad level biochem, you will spend few days on this topic. 😀

 

[MedPR]

Yea, we shouldn't have to know amino acid synthesis on the MCAT. It might show up in a passage, and even then it will probably just be info to throw you off. If there's an amino acid synthesis passage I guarantee one of the questions will be about 3'OH and 5' phosphate.

I'm pretty sure there were 2-3 questions on AAMC3-11 testing if you knew about phosphodiester bonding.

 

[gettheleadout]

It never came up in either of those classes in detail. However, since I teach gen bio at a CC, I do mention this when discussing translation. Amino acid biosynthesis is a topic of discussion in graduate level biochem. Some undergrad biochem courses may venture this way but if you ever take a grad level biochem, you will spend few days on this topic. 😀

It's interesting that you say that, because in my senior year the biochem I will take is a two semester honors/graduate combined sequence, so I'm sure I'll encounter it there.